I’m well aware that former Miami Dolphins first-round pick Jason Allen has had too many position switches to even count.

Cornerback to safety. Safety to cornerback. Cornerback to safety, and back again. However, I’m recommending another.

I’m well aware that too many Miami Dolphins coaching staff’s have given up on this college free safety, questioning his ability to play that position, hinting that the Dolphins’ 2006 first-round pick might not have the instincts and/or intelligence required to be successful as the secondaries last line of defense.

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I was one of the first to tell you he stunk as a cornerback during the early portion of the Cam Cameron’s conversion efforts. But when Jason Allen got called on to play free safety due to six dozen injures he actually played well.

That 2007 team stunk, but Allen wasn’t the problem. He was actually one of that year’s few bright spots, contributing 62 tackles, three interceptions and forced a fumble in his nine starters.

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Because Allen had decent coverage skills, and this regime covets big corners, secondary coach Todd Bowles decided cornerback was a better spot for this former University of Tennessee standout, so he was never given another shot to compete for the free safety spot.

Allen started two games as a cornerback in 2008, and was actually making progress at his new but old position before Randy Moss broke his spirit, and his hand with a multiple touchdown performance.

Since then Jason Allen has sparingly surfaced for anything but special teams duty, and even when he did play as a cornerback he wasn’t sharp.

Considering the Dolphins are set with Sean Smith, Will Allen and Vontae Davis playing on the boundary and the nickel spot, and hope to develop rookie Nolan Carroll, the team’s fifth-round draft pick, why not give Allen a chance to compete with Tyrone Culver, Chris Clemons and Reshad Jones?

Jason Allen is good for depth....that is all.....and that is not enough for a big contract. I don't know what the Dolphins are paying him, but you can bet it is too much. If he can be kept for cheap....fine.....if not, then let's save some dough and look towards the next draft or free agency period.

I am not too sure that our secondary will be much better this year. The corners are still too inexperienced and got burned plenty last year. Cutting Gibril probably will save us from giving up some big plays....but does anyone really think the guys backing him up....or a 5th round rookie....are really going to step in and make it all better? If Culver or Clemons were that much better, then was the staff just to proud not to play them and bench their expensive albatross (who broke their necks all year)?

_________________Philbin's countenance exudes confidence!1984 was so long ago...Will there ever be another rainbow?

Allen has been Miami's best tackler on ST's for two years now. It doesn't justify his draft position but it also doesn't warrant sending him packing. My feeling is he'll sign a small contract and remain with the team. He's a player that coaches were wowed by the size and speed but didn't have the mental tools to make the switch to safety. He's a decent man CB who plays the deep ball well but struggles with smaller, quick players underneath. He's a player a lot like Ted Ginn where lack of aggression has really cost him. He has filled in well when asked to and he's played ST's really well.